M2M: The Men's Initiative Gets the Spotlight from the Newly Launched BreakingGround!

Read on for more information about BreakingGround. Spread the word! If you're in Twitter, use the hashtag #digUMBC!

As the new semester brings fresh energy to campus, UMBC is launching BreakingGround: a campus-wide initiative to deepen and share our innovative approach to democratic engagement.

In a time of widespread skepticism about the capacity of our democracy to respond to society’s needs, UMBC’s work is demonstrating the power of individuals and collaborative groups as agents of meaningful change and renewal. This work is deeply embedded in a campus culture that builds community from diversity and celebrates ingenuity and resourcefulness.

BreakingGround features courses developed to promote civic agency; incentives to link community service projects with opportunities for deep learning and engagement; opportunities for students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners to collaborate on campus and community change projects; and a blog for sharing stories and launching community discussions.

(seb) Ocean City Bus Trip

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Bus departs The Commons Circle @ 8:30am

All Guests = $15.00

Ticket #: 1 of 50

(seb) New York City Bus Trip

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Bus departs The Commons Circle @ 8:00am

All Guests = $30.00

Ticket #: 2 of 106

There are two ways to judge the success of a political convention.

The first is how effectively the event speakers can motivate and mobilize the party faithful as they prepare for the final push toward election day. The second is how well the party can engage and win over key moderate voters who might be watching the event on TV at home.

In an exceptionally close Presidential race like this one, the second of the two measurements may be the most important. But it is the most difficult to assess, particularly when sitting in the seats of the convention arena as your USDemocrazy correspondent has been this week.

There is no doubt the Republican delegates are very fired up  this year. Their disdain of everything Obama have given them a enormous sense of purpose. Here at the GOP convention there is distinct feeling destiny is on their side.

There was no better sign of this than during the rousing speech given last night by the new darling of the party, Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan. Though many commentators have taken issue with the content of speech citing inaccuracies and distortions, his words may not be the key element here.

The optics of the Paul Ryan speech were made in Republican political heaven. In his first major address to a nationwide audience, Ryan looked every bit the person he is… youthful, capable, like-able and sincere. Though his personal politics echo the more extreme Tea party elements of the party, he didn’t come across as a fringe political loony. He embodies the sensible face of conservatism.

The delegates responded to him in gusto. He is the new political rock star… with an adoring fan base. In this correspondent’s opinion, he is undoubtedly a future Presidential candidate of the Republican party.

Of course, that is how it felt amongst the cacophony of the Tampa convention center.

How it felt to the moderate voters watching home on TV will be more difficult to assess.

Romans 8:22-25 (NIV)

22We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Revelation 21:1-5 (NIV)

1Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

5He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Reflection

Every part of creation is eagerly waiting and anticipating Heaven’s Premiere Event. There is a groaning and longing for this old creation, marked by so much pain and death, to pass and be replaced with the new creation, where the suffering is permanently a thing of the past. It sounds crazy, but in this time that everything is waiting, we have become the ‘trailer’ to the main event. We have become the sneak preview of what it will be like as our lives have been touched and redeemed. At the same time we ain’t seen nothing yet!

Responding to the Transmission

Our lives being touched by God are a sure sign that the final day when everything will be new is really coming. We are just a small preview of the awesome arrival of a new heaven and new earth. But as we experience heaven realities now, let’s pray that we would make all the more effort to pull back heaven here on earth by living a Spirit-filled life. May we continue to be shaped by the Spirit in the ways of Christ…heaven’s ways on earth.

Maryland Natural Resources Police are investigating an incident where Republican Del. Donald H. Dwyer Jr. reportedly drunkenly piloted a speedboat that collided with another vessel and sent six people to the hospital last week. The fallout? “It is possible that this is the end of his political career,” Donald F. Norris, professor and chairman of UMBC’s Department of Public Policy, told the Baltimore Sun.

Norris said, of Dwyer, “He comes from a very conservative constituency” that is not likely to overlook the incident. It could take weeks before authorities conclude the investigation. In addition to facing misdemeanor or felony charges, Dwyer could also face a civil suit from those who were injured.

Emerald Christopher has been selected as one of WREI’s 2013 Congressional Fellows on Women and Public Policy. “The Women’s Research & Education Institute (WREI) is an independent, public policy research and information center whose mission is to inform and help shape the public policy debate on issues affecting women and their roles in the family, the workplace, the classroom, the military, and the public arena.

The WREI Congressional Fellowship on Women and Public Policy is designed to train potential leaders in public policy formation to examine issues from the perspective, experiences, and needs of women. Administered by WREI, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, organization located in Washington, DC, this program is unique – the only fellowship program on Capitol Hill directly by, for, and about women.

Congratulations Emerald!

A WREI fellow works in a Congressional office as a legislative aide on policy issues affecting women. Fellows meet weekly for issue seminars directed by the WREI staff. Fellows are selected on the basis of academic competence as well as demonstrated interest in the public policy process. They must be articulate and adaptable and have strong writing skills” (WREI Fellows Brochure, 2013, web).